Ards and North Down business support

Multi-annual Arts Grant 2026-28

Funding to help arts organisations in the area to carry out their work, and create annual programmes which benefit people in the borough. 

Find out more about the Multi-annual Arts Grant 2026-28.

Tyrone Guthrie Centre 2026/27

This bursary award is for a one-week studio residency at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig. A maximum of 4 professional artists will be awarded for the 2026/27 financial year.

Find out more about the Tyrone Guthrie Centre 2026/27.

Ballinglen Arts Foundation 2026/27

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation 2026/27 bursary award is for a two-week Studio Residency at Ballinglen Arts Foundation. 

Find out more about the Ballinglen Arts Foundation 2026/27.

Greentech Academy

SERC (South Eastern Regional College) is delivering a free Greentech Academy for candidates looking to upskill in Electrical Energy Storage Systems, Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment, and Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems.

Find out more about the Greentech Academy.

Business Research

Programme providing one-to-one advice, mentoring and research to help businesses grow and explore new markets.

Find out more about Business Research.

Go Succeed - Grow and Scale

Support is available if your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress. Or if your business is ready to go to the next level locally and internationally but you need guidance, support or resources to achieve your ambitions. Business advisors will provide tailored support to help your business achieve its ambitions. 

Find out more about the Go Succeed support for existing businesses.

Social Enterprise Thematic Programme

Support for social enterprises to elevate their skills through one-on-one mentoring and online workshops, focusing on fundraising, digital marketing, and social impact planning.

Find out more about the Social Enterprise Thematic Programme.

Local enterprise agencies

Enterprise Northern Ireland agencies provide business improvement programmes, financing, events, workspace and meeting space. There are two local enterprise agencies in Ards and North Down:

• Ards Business Hub
• North Down Development Organisation

Tender for council contracts

You can seek tender opportunities as a way to grow your business in Ards and North Down. The council offers public tenders throughout the year in a wide range of business areas.

Find out more about tendering for Ards and North Down Borough Council contracts.

Invest Northern Ireland support for business

Invest NI can help your business compete successfully and function more efficiently by providing support across a variety of areas.

Find out more about Invest NI support for business.

Business events

Many organisations run business-focused events in Ards and North Down, across a range of topics to help you develop your business.

You can find business event listings on the AND Business website.

You can search for business events in Ards and North Down and across Northern Ireland using our Events Finder.